Bright Futures School

School material change inspection report

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Bright Futures School Friezland Lane, Greenfield, Oldham, Lancashire OL3 7EU

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7b, 32(1) and 32(1)(c)  There is an up-to-date safeguarding policy which reflects the latest statutory guidance. This policy is published on the school’s website and is available on request from the school office. The policy contains detailed information about the school’s expectations for staff to promote a strong culture of safeguarding. This includes how concerns will be identified, recorded and reported. The policy contains details of the safeguarding team and who staff can contact from the local authority if they have any wider concerns. Those responsible for leading safeguarding have the training and expertise that they need to carry out this role effectively. Paragraphs 11, 12 and 16, to 16(b)  The health and safety policy is in place and shows the school’s clear consideration for ensuring that pupils learn in a safe environment. There are established routines in

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Main inspection findings

place for staff to report any issues, with prompt action to rectify these. The school makes regular checks on the building to ensure that the high standards of the premises are maintained.  There are records of regular fire drills with relevant follow-up actions documented. The school uses a professional fire company to service the fire-fighting equipment and for advice about aspects of fire safety. Fire exits are clearly labelled as well as maps in each part of the building reminding users of the fire procedures, exit routes and assembly points. Paragraph 14  There is a high number of staff for the number of pupils on roll. The school makes sure that staff have the background and expertise to support the needs of pupils who attend the school. Pupils are closely supervised at all times of the school day. The school does not plan to recruit any additional staff in respect of the potential increase in pupil numbers.

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Main inspection findings

 The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to continue to be met if the request for the material change is approved. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17 to 18(2)(e), 18(3) to 19(2)(d)(ii) and 19(3), to 21(8)  The school makes the correct safeguarding checks on staff who join the school. It records these checks with accuracy on the single central record. The school makes regular checks on the accuracy of the single central record. The single central record contains checks for all staff, including members of the proprietor body.  The school makes sure that the safeguarding checks carried out during recruitment are completed before staff commence employment. Senior staff have the training that they need to understand safer recruitment.  The school rarely uses agency staff but it is aware of the procedures in place to ensure that any agency staff are safe to work with children. The school is also aware

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Main inspection findings

of the procedures for carrying out the necessary checks for any staff who have spent time overseas.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the request for the material change is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22 to 23(1)(c), 28(1) to 28(1)(d) and 28(2) to 28(2)(b)  The school is located in a modern purpose-designed building. The accommodation is all on the ground floor and consists of teaching spaces, offices, a dining room and communal areas. The school is maintained to a high standard. There are secure outdoor areas for social times and physical education (PE).  Drinking water is clearly labelled and is available for pupils throughout the school day. Water is set to a safe temperature. There are appropriate toilet and washing facilities for the proposed increase in pupils. Toilet cubicles are lockable from the inside for privacy.  PE takes place both on the school site and at local facilities. There are appropriate

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Main inspection findings

changing facilities available. Paragraphs 24(1) to 24(1)(b) and 24(2)  There is secure storage for medication. The administration of both medication and first aid is recorded appropriately. The medical room includes a shower, toilet and sink. In this room, there are a bed, pillow, blanket and first-aid kit. Paragraphs 25 to 27(b)  The accommodation is fit for purpose and the needs of pupils are well considered and planned for. The acoustics and lighting throughout the building create a suitable learning environment for pupils. There is external lighting that covers all exits during the hours of darkness. Paragraph 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  The outdoor areas contain a range of gym equipment for pupils to use. In addition to this, the organisation of the outdoor spaces provides opportunities for pupils of all ages to engage in a range of physical activities.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the request for the

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Main inspection findings

material change is approved. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33 to 33(k)  The school’s complaints policy sets out each stage of the complaints process for parents and carers. The policy includes information about how the school aims to resolve complaints initially at the informal stage.  There are clear timescales set out for each stage.  The school has followed the complaints policy when any complaints have been made.  There is a copy of the complaints policy on the website.  The standard in this part is likely to continue to be met if the request for the material change is approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor knows the standards well. It makes frequent checks on how the school meets each of the standards, including how each of the standards will remain met over time.  The chair of the proprietor body and the headteacher have the expertise that they

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Main inspection findings

need to make sure that the necessary actions are in place to comply with the standards.  The proprietor has given careful consideration to ensure that the increase in pupil numbers will not impact the standards being met.  The standard in this part is likely to continue to be met if the request for the material change is approved. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The accessibility plan reflects the school’s statutory responsibilities.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is likely to meet the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that are relevant to the material change.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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School details

Type of school Independent special school

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School details

Proprietor Bright Futures Schools Limited

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £45,000 to £52,000

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School details

Email address louise.whalley@brightfuturesschool.org

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 16 to 18 May 2023

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 5 to 16 5 to 16 5 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 15 18 18

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 15 18

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 15 18

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 15 18

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils paid for by a local authority with an education, health and care plan 15 18

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 12 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 3 3

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Information about this school

 The school’s previous standard inspection was on 16 to 18 May 2023.  The headteacher has joined the school since the previous inspection.  All pupils who attend the school are pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. All pupils have an education, health and care plan. All pupils at the school have autism.  The school does not make use of any alternative provision.  The school operates from premises at Friezland Lane, Greenfield, Oldham OL3 7EU.

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Information about this inspection

 The Department for Education (DfE) commissioned this material change inspection to evaluate the school’s likely compliance with the relevant standards if the DfE approves the proprietor’s request to increase the school’s pupil capacity from 15 to 18.  This was the first material change inspection in respect of an increase of the school’s capacity since the school’s standard inspection in May 2023.  The inspector checked those aspects of safeguarding that directly linked to the material change application.  The inspector met with the chair of the proprietor body. She also met with senior leaders.  The inspector spoke on the telephone with a representative of the local authority.  The inspector made a tour of the site to check the suitability of the premises against the relevant standards.  The inspector looked at a range of documentation and policies relevant to the material change request. These included health and safety, fire safety and risk assessment

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Information about this inspection

documentation. The inspector also checked documentation relating to safeguarding.

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Inspection team

Jane Dennis, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector guidance ‘Raising concerns and making a complaint about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/complaints-about-ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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